March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

SMCLC Reveal Details In Elizabeth Riel Firing Lawsuit:

The Elizabeth Riel saga just won’t seem to go away.

Last year Riel was offered the job of Communications Director for the City of Santa Monica, but the position was later rescinded by former city manager Rod Gould. Riel filed a lawsuit and received a $710,000 settlement in July.

District court deposition documents recently obtained by the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) show that Riel’s past political activities might have been the basis for her firing.

The SMCLC stated in a letter to its members on Monday that “these documents show that city council member and then (Santa Monica) mayor and current council member Pam O’Connor relentlessly pressured then city manager Rod Gould to fire Elizabeth for having made a donation to an SMCLC political mailer in 2006.”

According to the SMCLC: “Our City Charter explicitly prohibits any city council member from interfering in the City Manager’s hiring and firing decisions. A council member cannot, even indirectly, request that a city employee be hired or fired.”

Email correspondence between O’Connor and Gould were recently made public. According to court documents of Gould’s videotaped deposition on March 18, 2015, Gould at first appeared to stand by his decision to hire Riel as Communications Director.

As Gould stated: “(Riel) is a communications expert and will help the city with its messaging.” He added that he hoped O’Connor would give Riel a chance to prove herself.

But O’Connor wrote: “I will be extremely hesitant to work with Elizabeth Riel especially during campaign season.”

In another email to Gould, O’Connor stated: “I do not and will not trust (Riel). I will not work with her not because she is a supporter of others but she attacked me directly by putting money onto a hit piece. There are very few direct hit pieces done in Santa Monica and she was a leader in this effort.”

Gould stated: “Our system is designed to separate politics from employment decisions… I will speak with Elizabeth today (May 23, 2014) to be sure she can work with all members of the city council and represent the city’s view professionally.”

Deputy City Manager Elaine Polachek seemed to offer support to Riel in an email correspondence, stating: “I think Elizabeth is the right choice. She has a keen understanding of communications for the city.”

Many of these email correspondents were made in late May of 2014. Gould announced his plans to retire as City Manager in January 2015 on Aug. 1, 2014.

in News
Related Posts

Customers at These Palisades Stores Can Get Cash Rewards for Sharing Their Experience

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Thumzup is Starting its L.A. Footprint Expansion with Pacific Palisades Thumzup, a company which aims to democratize the social media...

Homeless Man Sentenced to State Prison for Crimes Against Homeless Women

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Series of Sexual Assaults Anthony Pittman, currently homeless, has pled no contest to a series...

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @smmirrornews...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....